Improvements in paper bags and the like



Oct. 3,' 1961 c. E. WRIGHT 3,002,674

IMPROVEMENTS IN PAPER BAGS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 25, 1958 INVENTOK, CHAILLES EDMUND wr eHT ATTOPQ EY Patented Oct. 3, 1961 3 002,674 IMPROVEMENTS IN PAPER BAGS AND THE LIKE (Iharles Edmund Wright, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Filed Sept. 25, 1958, Ser. No. 763,270 Claims priority, application Canada, Dec. 10, 1957 1 Claim. (Cl. 229-51) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in containers, and more particularly to a tear-opening for paper bags and the like, to provide easy and quick access to the contents of a container having at least an inner and outer wall, e.g. duplex paper bags.

Heretofore, granular products, such as sugar, have been packaged largely in duplex paper bags which are usually made to two sheets of heavy lcraft paper, stitched along the upper edges as a closure. Similarly, non-pouring products, such as potatoes, having been packaged in like paper bags, the tops of which are usually secured with a wire tie or are sewn together. In both cases, it is diflicult to tear the bag tops to obtain access to the contents, save by way of scissors or a knife.

The object of this invention is to overcome this disadvantage.

This invention resides broadly in a paper bag having at least an inner wall and an overlying outer wall, spaced apart normally closed flaps cut in each wall, the inner fiap underlying an unweakened area of the overlying wall and positioned to be exposed after the outer flap commences to tear through said unweakened area.

Another feature of the invention consists of attaching the inner flap to the undersurface of the unweakened overlying wall whereby on tearing back the outer flap the inner flap is pulled open.

The bags are formed on a conventional bag making machine. Before the webs are brought together in the machine, they are die-cut each with a series of cuts to form the flaps in each web and the necessary adhesive applied where required. When the webs are brought together in the machine, the flaps in each web are brought together in succession in spaced relation in conformity with the invention.

In the drawings, the invention is shown in conjunction with duplex bags made from two sheets of kraft paper. However, it will be apparent that this invention will apply equally well to bags having more than two walls as well as to different weights and type of paper. The term paper as used herein includes cellophane and similar materials used by paper converters in the manufacturing of bags.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the specification and drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a duplex bag with a tear opening opened in pouring position;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of a duplex bag partly broken away, to show the spaced relationship of the flaps in the inner and outer walls;

FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a sequence of three positions starting with a bag showing the tear opening fully closed, then partially opened, and finally fully opened;

FIGURE 6 illustrates an horizontal application of the tear opening for bags containing non-pouring products; and

FIGURE 7 illustrates a further embodiment.

In the embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIG- URES 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the drawings, a duplex bag 10 has an outer wall 11 and an inner wall or liner 12. Two U or V die-cuts 14 and 15 are made in the walls, one in the outer wall 11 and one in the inner wall 12, to form an outer flap 16 and an inner flap 17 respectively.

The die-cut 14 is spaced from the die-cut 15 so that the inner flap 17 is spaced away from the hinge portion of the outer flap 16 to underly an unweakened portion of the outer wall in the direction of the tear.

The inner flap 17 is adhesively or otherwise affixed to the overlying surface of the outer wall 11, for example by a spot of glue 18, positioned approximately as shown in FIGURE 2. Preferably, this spot of glue should be kept away from the edge of the die-cut notch 15 in order to allow for variations in the bag making machine.

In practice, it has been found desirable in forming the die-cut inner flap 17 to form the die with a few small uncut portions to more securely hold the edge of the inner flap 17 in position during handling when filled. For example, four small strands may be left uncut joining the inner flap 17 to the inner wall 12. However, it is emphasized that such a provision is not essential for the operation of the invention, and complete die-cut leaving no uncut portions may be used.

To further assist in preventing sifting and also to maintain the two walls 11 and 12 in juxtaposition in the area of the inner flap, two spots of glue 19 and 20 may be added, as shown in FIGURE 2.

It is also desirable to place a small spot of adhesive 21 on the inside of the outer flap to hold the outer flap lightly against the inner wall. This spot of adhesive should not bond the two walls too securely, in order that they may be parted easily without pulling the fibres of the paper across the area of the die-cut 15.

In operation, the outer flap 16 is grasped by the fingers and is pulled in the direction of the uncut portion of the outer flap. This pull tears the outer wall 11. Further pulling tears the paper still further extending on either side of the adhesive 18, and in bags where the inner flap 17 is adhesively affixed to the outer wall 11, the inner flap 17 is lifted up.

As further pulling continues, the inner wall 12 now tears in conjunction with the outer wall 11 to form a hole through both the inner and outer walls exposing the contents of the bag. This hole may be enlarged by still further pulling on the outer flap 16, and results in an opening through which the contents may be removed.

If a tear opening is required as illustrated in FIGURE 6, the outer flap 16 and the inner flap 17 should be disposed in a plane approximately parallel to the base of the bag. As the outer flap 16 is pulled, it will tear an opening across the bag.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 7, the inner flap 17 is not aflixed to the outer wall 11. Accordingly, when the outer flap 16 is lifted, the flap will tear in the outer wall to expose the inner flap 17. The die-cut 15 of the inner flap 17 may be perforated cut, or may be completely out through, depending upon the nature of the product being packed. When the inner flap 17 is exposed, it may be pushed inward, as shown in FIGURE 7, to provide access to the contents of the bag.

This invention may be applied to a bag made from cellophane or other non-fibrous paper. Because the nonfibrous nature of the material, the adhesive 18 on the inner flap 17 may extend across the die-cut, thereby sealing it against sifting of the finest powders. As the adhesive is weaker than the film, the inner flap 17 opens readily when the outer flap 16 is tom back.

It will be apparent that the tear opening can he placed in the front, back, or top of the bag or in the gussets of the bag.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A multiply paper bag, comprising: an outer wall ply and at least one inner wall ply, each ply having a substantially U-shaped cut therein defining tear-out tabs, said tabs being substantially coaxial and having the apex of an inner tab spaced from the ends of the substantially U-shaped cut defining the tab in an immediately overlying ply so as to define in said contiguous plies a two-ply strengthening bridge transverse to the axes of said tabs for lessening the danger of rupturing of said bag in the area of said tabs, said inner tab being adhered to said overlying ply by an adhesive bond stronger than the tear strength of its ply whereby tearing out of the overlying area of said overlying ply will cause a tearing out of the area beyond the base of said inner tab.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Appel Mar. 30,

Andrew Dec. 14,

Mullinix-.. May 25,

Misch June 12,

Voege et a1 May 26,

FOREIGN PATENTS Canada Oct. 8, 

